Two Academy Award nominated films, Silver Linings Playbook, and Life of Pi, resonated with so many millions of people because their themes of resilience speak to each of us -- and are grounded in a growing body of scientific research. Far from being delusional or faith-based, having a positive outlook in difficult circumstances is the most important predictor of resilience -- how quickly you will recover from adversity.
Through her online tutorials, and her role on UK television as the beauty expert for three years on the series ‘Ten Years Younger, make-up artist Lisa Eldridge has become an expert on how to do a really great look for ladies in their 50's, 60's and beyond. In a March 1 video posted on YouTube she demonstrates her techniques on a 64 year-old woman to achieve a modern, natural look.
Ten years ago seeing any blue whales in Southern California would have been rare. This year, there already has been more than 500 sightings of the world's largest creature.
Half Moon Reef was once a massive underwater oyster colony in the most productive fishery in Texas, rich with shellfish, blue crabs and shrimp. Today there is barely an oyster left in the 450-acre site. But conservationists are now rebuilding the reef in the heart of Matagorda Bay using huge boulders of Missouri limestone carried down the Mississippi River on 36 barges, building the foundation for revitalizing an entire ecosystem.
Federal maritime officials have approved a plan to protect whales in and around San Francisco Bay. Shipping industry representatives joined with whale researchers to establish new cargo lanes that will protect blue whales, the largest marine mammal, in their feeding grounds outside one of the busiest ports in the world.
Pushed by a chorus of 486,900 citizens, the Australian government announced Thursday their intention to create the world's largest marine reserve, a highly protected zone in the Coral Sea stretching almost 200,000 square miles -- a historic moment for ocean conservation in Australia and globally. Australia's Coral Sea, east of the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the last remaining intact tropical ocean ecosystems in the world where populations of large ocean predators - sharks, tunas, and marlin - have not been severely reduced. The waters are home to healthy coral reefs, atolls, cays, and islands that provide shelter to reef fish, sea turtles, and seabirds.
Michelle Obama joined Disney executives today to announce an unprecedented move in the battle against childhood obesity. The media company will eliminate the advertising of unhealthy food and beverages from all of its Disney channels, the first major media company to introduce standards for food advertising on shows targeting kids and families. Mrs. Obama called it a game changer that would give parents more leverage as they campaign to bring healthier foods into their kids' diets.
14 years after the Irish Peace Accord ended decades of violence and established self-rule for Northern Ireland, the new data demonstrates that two-thirds of citizens there feel happier in their lives than ever before.
The recovering drug addict with a long rap sheet who had just sat down on the bench in a Philadelphia train station often wondered if he was a good person. But there was no self-doubt when he leaped onto the tracks to help a complete stranger he'd just seen fall off the platform.
The Czech Republic plans to donate $200,000 to help the Texas town of West recover from a devastating fertilizer plant explosion. The government decided to provide the aid in solidarity because a significant number of people in the town of 2,700 have Czech roots.
When great ape keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo were deciding how to add more variety and enrichment to their animals' lives, they turned to Orangutan Outreach and a program that had seen great success in 12 other zoos around the world: Apps for Apes. Keepers introduced the Zoo's six orangutans to iPads: Bonnie likes to bang on the drums, Kyle prefers the piano and 25-year-old Iris is content to listen to the soothing sounds of the koi pond while watching animated fish splash.
Exploratory drilling in Haiti has uncovered gold and silver deep inside the country's northeastern mountains, potentially worth $20 billion, that may help relive centuries of poverty in the Caribbean nation.
Galvanized by anger over the killing of the popular American ambassador here last week, thousands of Libyans marched through this city on Friday, demanding the disarming of the militias that have refused to disband since overthrowing the country's dictator, Col. Gadaffi.
In Libya, the oil is once again flowing. Libya's oil industry is now back up to 90 percent of its pre-war production, earning the income that gives many Libyans confidence that, despite hardship, they do have a shot at a better future
Hometown hero Dr. John, who this year was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, helped close out the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Fest on Sunday by jumping on piano during Bruce Springsteen's headlining set for a funky rendition of Something You Got. Afterward, Springsteen acknowledged the 71-year-old's unmatched piano work. It's all about that groove. You can't make that groove exactly in New Jersey.
A mysterious package arrived last week at the University of Chicago addressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr., which looked like it had been postmarked in Egypt. Admissions officials had no clue who Jones was, but a student snapped out of his finals-tired haze realizing who Dr. Jones was: the fabled archeology professor, Indiana Jones. The mystery grew deeper when they realized the postage was faked and inside was an incredibly detailed replica of "University of Chicago Professor" Abner Ravenwood's journal from the film, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
President Barack Obama and the First Lady invited Star Wars Director George Lucas and a few of the cast members from his new film, Red Tails, to the White House Friday for a movie night. But the guests of honor were a few of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the black WW II aviators whose story -- brought to the big screen thanks to Lucas's own money -- is opening in theaters on January 20.
Weta Workshop, the special FX house behind the costumes and props in the Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia films, have given a double leg amputee the ability to swim.
Enchanted Makeovers is celebrating its fifth year working in women's shelters to transform interior spaces -- drab bunks and windows -- with cheery designs, but, ultimately, the non-profit organization wants to transform the inner hearts of people by genuinely caring for their souls.
Amanda Boxtell could have never imagined that a paralyzing skiing accident would change her life… for the better. Amanda is now helping others overcome similar challenges, and is walking thanks to new technology reaching more people this week.
Recent Stories
A Heartfelt Reminder to Appreciate the Ones We Love
Cherish the Woman Who Stands by You
Breaking Generational Cycles of Pain
Living by Your Own Values, Not Others' Approval
When Life Brings Rain, It’s Okay to Rest
Before You Judge Someone's Life, Take a Moment to Walk in Their Shoes.
A Friend Who Spreads Gossip is Not a True Friend at All
The Value of Human Connection Over Digital Convenience
The Quiet Kind of Love
One Day, Your Mom Won’t Call You Anymore
I’ve reached a point in my life...
Happiness is a mindset, a conscious choice we make every day